Research summary
What does it mean to evade racial and colonial capture? To answer this question, Dr. Balbir Singh is rethinking the logics of representation and visibility for racialized minorities. As Canada Research Chair in Art and Racial Justice, she is setting up a special lab—called the Dark Opacities Lab—to study art, race and social change. Looking closely at how different races are shown and understood in society, the lab will be the first in Canada to focus on worldwide efforts toward racial justice.
Singh and her research team are working on two central ideas. The first is about challenging the need for police and prisons, and the second is looking at how clothing can be used as protection, especially for groups that often face discrimination. To explore these ideas, the lab will have a community reading room, an art space, and an online platform, and the research team will organize two major art exhibitions.